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Actors who were barely paid for some of their most iconic roles (9 Photos)

At the time Cruise agreed to star in the film for *only* $100,000, he had just earned $20 million for starring in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut. We’re guessing he wasn’t too bothered by it.

2

Barkhad Abdi – Captain Phillips
($65,000)

While $65,000 isn’t exactly chump change, it’s nothing in comparison to how much the film grossed worldwide ($218 million). Fortunately for Abdi, his role in the film ended up paying off in other ways. Not only did he win a BAFTA for his critically acclaimed performance, he went on to earn Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, as well.

3

Bill Murray – Rushmore
($9,000)

This (extremely) low salary didn’t detour iconic actor Bill Murray from starring in the film. In fact, whenever the film’s budget was growing tight Murray chipped in. Apparently, when Disney-owned Touchstone Pictures refused to pay for a helicopter for the movie, Murray personally wrote Anderson a check for $25,000. Being the awesome guy that he is, Anderson never actually cashed it

4

Brad Pitt – Thelma & Louise
($6,000)

$6,000 is nothing in comparison to the average $17.5 million Pitt makes per movie nowadays, but his performance in this film led to his career being born. I’d say that’s well worth the small temporary payoff.

5

Hilary Swank – Boys Don’t Cry
($3,000)

This heavy biopic grossed almost $12 million, but star Hilary Swank saw only $3,000 of that. Fortunately, her dire financial situation soon took a turn for the better. After winning the Oscar for Boys Don’t Cry, Swank made a reported $3 million for her follow-up movie, The Affair of the Necklace.

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6

Jim Carrey – Yes Man
($0 Upfront)

While most actors wouldn’t take the risk, Carrey agreed to do this film under the conditions that he would earn 32.6% of the profit. Yes Man went on to earn over $223 million dollars at the worldwide box office, over $30 million of which reportedly went to Carrey.

7

Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street
($60,000)

When you get offered to star in a film directed by Martin Scorsese, you don’t question the pay. Hill agreed to star in TWOWS for the SAG minimum of $60,000. “They gave me the lowest amount of money possible, that was their offer. And I said, ‘I will sign the paper tonight. Fax me the papers tonight. I want to sign them tonight before they change their mind.” Hill didn’t make the type of money DiCaprio made, but he did end up earning an Oscar nomination.

8

Oprah Winfrey – The Color Purple
($35,000)

Winfrey might be worth around $3 billion as of today, but like everyone else in the film industry she had to start somewhere. Despite the fact The Color Purple grossed around $200 million, Winfrey was only paid $35,000 for her role in the iconic film. Somehow we think she survived the lowball payoff.

9

Ryan Gosling – Half Nelson
($1,000)

The 2006 indie school drama Half Nelson’s budget was so tight that star Ryan Gosling had to agree to shoot the movie for $1,000 a week. Like a few other actors on this list, Gosling’s low salary ended up paying off big time, as he earned an Oscar nomination for his performance.

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